#jack & kp specifically i love your stuff

[urlocallesbiab]

sorry to everyone who's been missing me/waiting for something from me, i've been slipping in and out of depressive fog for a week or two (and in general have experienced significantly worse depression than normal for a couple years, but that’s another story)

i long to get back, too; a lot of things to read and ideas to write and people to talk to. love y'all, take care

#signed: vika's ghost #also i've caught a cold so there's that too #terribly sorry for being overdramatic i'm just... tired of being tired and i wanted to talk about it a little bit #it's very important for me to talk about everything that's wrong with me. i tend to avoid that but now i'm trying to learn and to make peace #creative drive and ability to hold thought-out conversations keep slipping out of my graps and it kinda hurts more #— in a good cathartic sort of way but painful nonetheless — to remember what they felt like at all #i miss wanting to work on my wip and i miss having the attention span to write out headcanon and i miss having headcanons #and i miss talking to my fandom friends #(i did it just last week but i already miss it. it's one of the things i'd like to be able to do every day) #and i miss the ability to connect with art and i miss the ability to focus on written word and i miss commenting #and i miss discussing ideas and i miss interacting and i miss having fun. god i just miss having fun. #kp my apologies for not making much progress on bb&b; myself my apologies for not writing any of my other wips or outlines or posts; #da gc gang my apologies for not following up on any of the things; every fic writer whose work ended up in my to-read pile IM SORRY #jack & kp specifically i love your stuff #also jack my apologies for taking a While; & the rd gc apologies for never writing out any of the cool au thoughts i'd had after some point #really，i've been meaning to. everything requires way too much effort. everyone is so fun and i miss having fun #take care，remember me fondly，i'll be back，please stand by #if tomorrow morning i find this embarrassing i'll chalk it up to a fever or something. #idc i'm allowed to have it. world won't blow up if i'm embarrassing on the internet once or twice or honestly even forever #vikarambles #vent

[rikrakyarnncrafts]

Halloween Bone Chilling Zone

Spoiler alert – someone at KP Headquarters is going as a lady cat for Halloween (raises hand).  More specifically, a lady cat who purr-furrs to multitask while styling photo shoots.

In the spirit of all things Halloween, the Knit Picks staff brings to you our list of freaky holiday favorites!

Lee aka NKOTB (New Knitter on the Blog)

I love so much about Halloween! I love that it’s a time when a lot of people get crafty who aren’t normally crafty; I love seeing creative homemade costumes and decorations! I love black cats and bats. I love silly spooky scary stuff that isn’t actually scary. I love adorable little kids in costumes, especially if they are weird or unusual costumes that clearly came out of the mind of a genius tiny person. (My friend’s daughter went as a “Science Fairy” when she was around 5, with wings and a lab coat, because why not?) I love the color orange. And I love candy, of course! What’s not to love?

  Hannah aka Treat Maker Extraordinaire

It’s my personal tradition to wake up the day after Halloween with all sorts of great costume ideas that I regret not making and vow to make for next year (a thing that has never actually happened). This year I was going to be Beverly Crusher but then life happened. BUT! I do manage to break out the bakes with the slightest excuse, and Halloween is no different.

First on my list is Smitten Kitchen’s Apple Cider Caramels. It’s not Halloween without mind-bending quantities of candy so save yourself from yourself and make them from scratch! I find that if I have to stand over a hot pot for what seems like a lifetime, I’m never in the mood to actually eat all those beautiful candy myself once it’s all finished. Finally, a way to save some of that candy for the actual trick-or-treaters! Bonus, they are absolutely fabulous and well worth all the stirring.

Second, my all-time favorite treat is Smitten Kitchen’s Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats. One extra step (brown that butter!) elevates this classic to something I love to bring to every party. This is also the treat that gets the most recipe requests and ALWAYS results in a totally empty tray. Trust me, it takes ten whole minutes to make these beauties and you’ll be the ultimate dessert destination.

Kate aka Theme Party Fanatic

It’s no secret that I am HUGE fan of theme parties.  Give me ALL the Rocky Horror Picture Show dinner parties you got. I will be in heaven. Every good party needs a playlist that sets the mood, and this one I’ve whipped up is sure to get your party haunted. If you’re a brave soul, you can get my Halloween playlist* here!

*probably not for the kiddos

If all that Monster Mashing and Transylvania Twisting leaves your throat feeling bone-dry, try the delightfully frightful Beetlejuice Cocktail. You’ll have fun telling your party guests the name of this spirit; just don’t say it 3 times in a row!

Beetlejuice Cocktail from breadboozebacon.com

  Daniel aka Ace Bibliophile

As a reader, I’ve always leaned more towards weird fiction and classic ghost stories than contemporary Stephen King-esque “horror”. I’m just as likely to spend my October evenings reading a quick short story as watching a horror movie. Here are a random selection of my favorites for getting creeped out, getting the willies, the heebie jeebies, the shivers, etc.

“Oh, Whistle and I’ll Come to You, My Lad” by M.R. James A great ghost story by a master of the form.

“The Open Door”, by Charlotte Riddell Perhaps the most well known story by one of the most popular authors to come out of the Victorian ghost story bonanza.

“The Voice in the Night”, by William Hope Hodgson Known better for his longer seminal work House on the Borderlands, I really like Hodgson’s nautically-themed ghost stories and weird fiction.

“Onion”, by Caitlin Kiernan Fair warning: Kiernan might be the least accessible writer on this list, but if you can plug into her dense language and daring themes, she will get under your skin and blow your mind in disturbing and delightful ways.

“The Willows”, by Algernon Blackwood One of the best by another acknowledged master, this one is often cited as ‘the best ghost story I’ve ever read’.

“Home”, by Shirley Jackson A nice, short alternative to her more well known The Haunting of Hill House

“The Color Out of Space”, by H.P. Lovecraft I actually prefer Lovecraft’s work outside of his well-known Cthluhu Mythos and this is one my favorites.

“The Black Cat”, by Edgar Allen Poe Best. Ending. Ever.

Image from https://ift.tt/1gQxyaZ

  Alexis aka resident Film Buff

I actually like to get scared (in a safe environment). Growing up my best friend and I created a version of hide & seek called “Spook Me” (email for details) which either instilled or evolved my love for that adrenaline rush scare. What better way to get that rush now then a horror movie? I prefer the more psychological thriller to gore, however Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) is a classic.

Here are some of my must watch movies when the calendar flips to October. You might need to start a blanket project for something to hide under while watching these.

High Scare Factor: The Shining (1980), Poltergeist (1982), It Follows (2014), Carrie (1976), Let the Right One In (2008), Gaslight (1944)

Fun Scare Factor: Cabin in the Woods (2012), Shawn of the Dead (2004), Phantasm (1979), Scream (1996)

Hillary aka the Crafty Queen

While I am not a huge Halloween fan, I LOVE crafting for Autumn! There is something about the colors and pumpkins that make me so happy. Our sister company, Artist’s Club, has the cutest resin pumpkins and I have been so inspired to craft with them lately.

White Crackle Pumpkin

Diane made the cutest Autumn themed pumpkin using crackle paint and some add-ons. This pumpkin could be made in an afternoon!

Mason Jar Pumpkin

After seeing chalk painted mason jars used as vases on Pinterest, I wanted to recreate the look with a Fall twist!

Resin Pumpkins: 3 Quick and Easy Projects

These pumpkins are so versatile! You can also make them into scarecrows, jack-o-lanterns or paint it with chalkboard paint to make seasonal signs.

Happy Halloween everyone!

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